World Nuclear Association Blog

A new working group has been set up by a core group of uranium mine operators to work on a specially funded 3-year work program. The Uranium Mining Standardization Working Group will work on three projects:

Project One: Provide industry leadership associated with the risks of radon in uranium mining, through the following steps:

(a) Develop a protocol for determining dosimetric parameters for practical implementation in uranium mining; (b) Review epidemiological studies to help ensure that industry understands underlying issues and remains abreast of scientific developments; (c) Engage with IAEA, ICRP and other organizations to collaborate and cooperate in the development of a practical radon standard.

Project Two: Achieve widespread agreement on indicators that demonstrate adherence to strong sustainable development performance. This project will bring together major nuclear utilities and mine operators to cooperate on standardization of routine reporting on sustainable development performance. The aim is to produce a valuable, internationally credible source of information that helps nuclear utilities in interacting with stakeholders on uranium supply.

Project Three: Promote universal adherence to the WNA policy document on uranium mining standards through communication with stakeholders and promoting the use of common indicators to encourage compliance.

The group was officially launched in April 2011. It will be co-chaired by Brent Berg (Cameco) and Frank Harris (Rio Tinto). The staff director of the working group is Sylvain Saint-Pierre.